Victorian MPs seek tighter election security after Helen Haines attack
More than a dozen politicians reported threats to ABC News as Victoria prepares for its 28 November election. Premier Ben Carroll says talks about voting-centre security are ongoing.
Victorian politicians are calling for stronger campaign and voting-centre security ahead of the state's 28 November election after the attack on federal MP Helen Haines, ABC News reported. Premier Ben Carroll said on Tuesday, 20 October, that the government, police and the Victorian Electoral Commission were discussing possible measures for voting centres. The talks matter as candidates and volunteers prepare to campaign and voters prepare to cast their ballots.
ABC News said it spoke with more than a dozen Victorian parliamentarians across the political spectrum. They described threats involving themselves, family members, staff or campaign volunteers. Most of those interviewed wanted increased security and further action from state parliament and the electoral commission. Their accounts were given to the ABC; the individual threats have not been independently established here.
Safety concerns before early voting
Some politicians told the ABC they were hesitant to attend pre-poll voting centres because of safety concerns. The Victorian Electoral Commission schedules early voting from 18 to 27 November, before election day on Saturday, 28 November. Their concerns therefore extend to the period when candidates commonly meet voters in person, as well as the wider campaign.
The ABC reported that Labor had advised volunteers to campaign in pairs, preferably in larger groups, and to remain alert to security risks. That advice concerns volunteers' conduct while campaigning. Politicians are also seeking action from institutions responsible for parliament and the election itself.
Carroll's talks with election authorities
Carroll said discussions among the government, police and electoral commission about boosting security at voting centres were ongoing. The ABC reported that he was expected to meet the Victorian electoral commissioner on Wednesday, 21 October, and said it understood he had called a special cabinet meeting about elected members' safety. The report described discussions and planned meetings, rather than an adopted package of additional voting-centre measures.
The ABC said Victorian Parliament recorded 48 security incidents between June 2025 and April 2026, fewer than in the preceding year. The figure provides context for the security discussion, although it does not establish how many incidents involved election campaigning or the politicians interviewed by the ABC.
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Sources and context
- Calls to beef up security for Victorian election in wake of Haines attackABC News
- 2026 state electionVictorian Electoral Commission
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.